Abusing animals in laboratories is not something that is
limited to one location in the U.S. Dozens of laboratories torture
primates in many different ways. SAEN works with local activists across
the U.S. to fight abuse wherever it occurs.

The University of Washington, Seattle (UW) is the home
of the Washington National Primate Research Center (WNPRC). The UW
receives over $82 million a year for primate experimentation.

During the three-year period from 1998 to 2000, the
Washington National Primate Research Center imprisoned an average of 2499
primates a year. Many of these animals live solitary lives, condemned to
isolation and loneliness.

During September 2001, a rhesus monkey (#K93464) died at
the UW after eating a set of latex gloves. Over fifteen pieces of latex
were found in the intestines of this monkey after death.

During a six-month period, two different rhesus monkeys
(T94397 and 93169) died at the UW of anesthetic reactions. These monkeys
had (supposedly) only been sedated for drawing blood samples.

Other monkeys at the UW have died while suffering from
severe dehydration and malnutrition. Their bodies were totally devoid of
fat, meaning that they had suffered through long and painful illnesses. We
believe that this information clearly indicates abuse and negligence at
the University of Washington, Seattle.

SAEN has taken decisive action to end this situation. We
have contacted the President of the University of Washington demanding an
independent investigation of animal care within the UW’s labs. We have
also exposed the abuse to the citizens of Seattle through an effective
media campaign.

SAEN contacted major media outlets in Seattle on October
16th. We achieved amazing results. Within 24 hours both the Seattle Times
and the UW Daily printed major stories on the scandal at the UW/WNPRC (see
media coverage section of our website: www.saenonline.org).

On October 18th John A. Coulter, University of
Washington Executive Director of Health Sciences Administration, responded
to our complaint in a letter. Mr. Coulter has promised an internal UW
investigation and has pledged to inform us of the results.

SAEN will keep on top of this investigation, and we will
be consulting with our own veterinary experts to obtain a truly
independent evaluation of the situation at the UW.

Animal abuse is not limited to the State of Washington.
Marc Branch, a researcher at the University of Florida, Gainesville (UF),
has conducted addiction experimentation on primates for over a decade.
SAEN has investigated Branch and the UF repeatedly and exposed the details
through media campaigns.

The local organization, Animal Activists of Alachua
(AAA), took on the UF during Vivisection Awareness Week at the University
of Florida Sept. 23 - 27th. SAEN supported this event by providing
background information that exposed the details of Branch’s research. We
also provided fact sheets about primate experimentation and visuals to be
used for picket signs. We will continue working with AAA to keep the
pressure on the UF.